--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the most capricious prejudice to…" description: "\"“It is the most capricious prejudice to believe that a human being is denied the capacity to be outside himself, to be consciously beyond the senses. H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/novalis-1989_actual-life_it-is-the-most-capricious-prejudice-to-b_1838605.jpg" --- # It is the most capricious prejudice to believe that a… ![“It is the most capricious prejudice to believe that a human being is denied the capacity to be outside himself, to be consciously beyond the senses. He is capable at any moment of being a suprasensual being. Without this he would not be a citizen of the world—he would be an animal. It is true that…” quote by Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/novalis-1989_actual-life_it-is-the-most-capricious-prejudice-to-b_1838605.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/novalis-1989_actual-life_it-is-the-most-capricious-prejudice-to-b_1838605.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/novalis-1989_actual-life_it-is-the-most-capricious-prejudice-to-b_1838605.jpg) > ““It is the most capricious prejudice to believe that a human being is denied the capacity to be outside himself, to be consciously beyond the senses. He is capable at any moment of being a suprasensual being. Without this he would not be a citizen of the world—he would be an animal. It is true that under these circumstances reflection, the discovery of oneself—is very difficult, since they are so ceaselessly, so necessarily connected with the change in our other circumstances. But the more conscious of these circumstances we can be, the more lively, powerful, and ample is the conviction which derives from them—the belief in true revelations of the spirit. It is not seeing—hearing—feeling—it is a combination of all three—more than all three—a sensation of immediate certainty—a view of my truest, most actual life—thoughts change into laws—wishes are fulfilled. For the weak person the fact of this moment is an article of faith. The phenomenon becomes especially striking at the sight of many human forms and faces—particularly so on catching sight of many eyes, expressions, movements—on hearing certain words, reading certain passages—at certain views of life, world, and fate. Very many chance incidents, many natural events, particular times of the day and year bring us such experiences. Certain moods are especially favorable to such revelations. Most last only an instant—few linger—fewest of all remain. In this respect there are great differences between people. One is more capable of experiencing revelations than another. One has more sense of them, the other more understanding. The latter kind will always remain in their soft light; even if the former has only intermittent flashes of illumination, they are brighter and more varied. This capacity is also susceptible to illness, which signifies either excessive sense and deficient understanding—or excessive understanding and deficient sense.”” [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human consciousness can transcend ordinary perception, allowing moments of profound insight that connect self, world, and spirit, though such experiences are fleeting and unevenly distributed. **In simple terms:** Mind can rise beyond senses for brief, rare insights. Key Takeaway Cultivate awareness for deeper insight. Themes spirituality perception self‑knowledge transcendence Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - art appreciation - nature walks - introspective writing Key Concepts philosophy psychology metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - How can you create conditions for insight? - What limits your deeper perception? A Different Perspective These moments are rare and can be disrupted by mental imbalance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actual life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-life/) [Capable Experiencing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capable-experiencing-2332380/) [Circumstances Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances-conscious-2332382/) [Conscious Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious-circumstances-2332381/) [Consciously Senses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciously-senses-2332379/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Revelations Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelations-sense-2332383/) [Self-Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-awareness-2/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Weak Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak-person/) ## Related quotes > [“Perfection is, however, not to be sought in the future, as we are fully capable of experiencing it here and now, if we abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-m-wanderer/perfection-is-however-not-to-be-sought-in-the-future-as-we-are-fully/) [Frank M. Wanderer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-m-wanderer/) > [“And no, I am not capable of experiencing the present with the same sort of attention to detail. But once the present becomes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-gideon/and-no-i-am-not-capable-of-experiencing-the-present-with-the-same/) [Melanie Gideon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-gideon/) > [I do feel that I’ve managed to make something I could maybe call my world…over time…little by little. And when I’m inside it, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-do-feel-that-i-ve-managed-to-make-something-i-could-maybe-call-my/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“Like Jocelyn, Survivors often think: \* That’s just the way I am \* I’m not lovable, that’s why I keep having disastrous relationships \*…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-ainscough/like-jocelyn-survivors-often-think-that-s-just-the-way-i-am-i-m-not/) [Carolyn Ainscough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-ainscough/) > [“I'm sorry, I had a meeting" I stand behind his chair. "Liar," under my breath. "You weren't at a meeting," take a breath, gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thalia-chaltas/i-m-sorry-i-had-a-meeting-i-stand-behind-his-chair-liar-under-my/) [Thalia Chaltas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thalia-chaltas/) > [A Weak person will always flaunt as strong ... he who makes the most noise isnt dangerous at all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/km-ii/a-weak-person-will-always-flaunt-as-strong-he-who-makes-the-most/) [KM II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/km-ii/) > [To admit mistake is courage and virtue of strong character, while to rue and look for an excuse reflects weak personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/to-admit-mistake-is-courage-and-virtue-of-strong-character-while-to/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [“More sensitive than others in the beginning, we have to develop the will, the stamina, the determination, and the insensitivity to take critical abuse.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/more-sensitive-than-others-in-the-beginning-we-have-to-develop-the/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [“There is something very interesting about bullies that make them special. You see, a bully is a coward; the bully is terribly afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/there-is-something-very-interesting-about-bullies-that-make-them/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [Believe not each accusing tongue, As most weak persons do; But still believe that story wrong, Which ought not to be true!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/believe-not-each-accusing-tongue-as-most-weak-persons-do-but-still/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [“To live is to write a story. If you are a strong person, your life story will mostly be written by you; if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/to-live-is-to-write-a-story-if-you-are-a-strong-person-your-life/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Don't confuse acceptance with being a naïve or weak person. Acceptance does not mean condoning negative behavior, staying in a bad situation, or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-l-jampolsky/don-t-confuse-acceptance-with-being-a-na-ve-or-weak-person-acceptance/) [Lee L Jampolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-l-jampolsky/) > [“I haven’t always been this weak person; this broken woman. I used to dream, and when I did, I dreamt big. I had plans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-sloan/i-haven-t-always-been-this-weak-person-this-broken-woman-i-used-to/) [Harper Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-sloan/) > [“So what you've actually got is traumatized children. When children are traumatized that affects how they feel about themselves, which is deeply ashamed because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/so-what-you-ve-actually-got-is-traumatized-children-when-children-are/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I always wanted to make sure that within my unit that I was never the weak person. So I made sure that my physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carmouche/i-always-wanted-to-make-sure-that-within-my-unit-that-i-was-never-the/) [Liz Carmouche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carmouche/) ## More by Novalis > [To get to know a truth properly, one must polemicize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/to-get-to-know-a-truth-properly-one-must-polemicize-it/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Character is a wish for a perfect education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/character-is-a-wish-for-a-perfect-education/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [“Whoever sees life other than as a self-destroying illusion is himself still preoccupied with life. Life must not be a novel that is given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/whoever-sees-life-other-than-as-a-self-destroying-illusion-is-himself/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [“Inspiration without intellect is useless and dangerous; and the poet will be able to perform few wonders, when he is astonished by wonders.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/inspiration-without-intellect-is-useless-and-dangerous-and-the-poet/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [It is not merely the multiplicity of tints, the gladness of tone, or the balminess of the air which delight in the spring; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/it-is-not-merely-the-multiplicity-of-tints-the-gladness-of-tone-or/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [“The world must be romanticized. Only in that way will one rediscover its original senses. Romanticization is nothing less than a qualitative raising of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/the-world-must-be-romanticized-only-in-that-way-will-one-rediscover/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Nature is an aeolian harp, a musical instrument whose tones are the re-echo of higher strings within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/nature-is-an-aeolian-harp-a-musical-instrument-whose-tones-are-the-re/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Our bodies are molded rivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/our-bodies-are-molded-rivers/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Where are we really going? Always home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/where-are-we-really-going-always-home/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Darwin remarks that we are less dazzled by the light at waking, if we have been dreaming of visible objects. Happy are those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/darwin-remarks-that-we-are-less-dazzled-by-the-light-at-waking-if-we/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [We are near waking when we dream we are dreaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/we-are-near-waking-when-we-dream-we-are-dreaming/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Man has his being in truth--if he sacrifices truth he sacrifices himself. Whoever betrays truth betrays himself. It is not a question of lying--but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/man-has-his-being-in-truth-if-he-sacrifices-truth-he-sacrifices/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Every beloved object is the center point of a paradise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/every-beloved-object-is-the-center-point-of-a-paradise/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [In a work of art, chaos must shimmer through the veil of order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/in-a-work-of-art-chaos-must-shimmer-through-the-veil-of-order/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) > [Many things are too delicate to be thought; many more, to be spoken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novalis/many-things-are-too-delicate-to-be-thought-many-more-to-be-spoken/) [Novalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) [Explore all 167 Novalis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novalis/) ## More Actual life quotes > [“On the other side of graduation was her actual life, the slow narrowing of possibilities that would catch her and freeze her in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ling-ma/on-the-other-side-of-graduation-was-her-actual-life-the-slow/) [Ling Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ling-ma/) > [“Perchance, dear reader, you will then believe that nothing is stranger and madder than actual life, and that this is all that the poet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-t-a-hoffmann-2/perchance-dear-reader-you-will-then-believe-that-nothing-is-stranger/) [E.T.A. Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-t-a-hoffmann-2/) > [The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but of the nature of learning; whereas, the experience gained from actual life is of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/the-experience-gathered-from-books-though-often-valuable-is-but-of/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [“Margaret realized the chaotic nature of our daily life, and its difference from the orderly sequence that has been fabricated by historians. Actual life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/margaret-realized-the-chaotic-nature-of-our-daily-life-and-its/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [“I like those very realistic paintings that look like photographs, or novels that are so much like actual life that you feel understood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-like-those-very-realistic-paintings-that-look-like-photographs-or/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [All actual life is encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-buber/all-actual-life-is-encounter/) [Martin Buber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-buber/) > [“The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning whereas the experience gained form actual life is of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/the-experience-gathered-from-books-though-often-valuable-is-but-the/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [“It is essential that a work of art should be self-consistent, that an artist should consciously or unconsciously draw a circle beyond which he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot-2/it-is-essential-that-a-work-of-art-should-be-self-consistent-that-an/) [T.S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot-2/) > [“After a dream like that, you're grateful that it was just a dream, that no matter how bad your actual life, it couldn't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brock-clarke/after-a-dream-like-that-you-re-grateful-that-it-was-just-a-dream-that/) [Brock Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brock-clarke/) > [The virtuous man contents himself with dreaming that which the wicked man does in actual life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/the-virtuous-man-contents-himself-with-dreaming-that-which-the-wicked/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/from-this-i-conclude-that-the-best-education-for-the-situations-of/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) > [One of the fundamental reasons why so many doctors become cynical and disillusioned is precisely because, when the abstract idealism has worn thin, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berger/one-of-the-fundamental-reasons-why-so-many-doctors-become-cynical-and/) [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) > [The only times I get uncomfortable is when people are looking into my actual life, just because, like anybody, there's tons of stuff I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-g/the-only-times-i-get-uncomfortable-is-when-people-are-looking-into-my/) [Alex G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-g/) > [“The novelist’s happy discovery was to think of substituting for those opaque sections, impenetrable by the human spirit, their equivalent in immaterial sections, things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/the-novelist-s-happy-discovery-was-to-think-of-substituting-for-those/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [In actual life a downward movement may sometimes be made the beginning of an ascent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/in-actual-life-a-downward-movement-may-sometimes-be-made-the/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Browse all 104 Actual life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is the most capricious prejudice to believe that a human being is denied the capacity to be outside himself, to be consciously beyond the senses. He is capable at any moment of being a suprasensual being. Without this he would not be a citizen of the world—he would be an animal. It is true that under these circumstances reflection, the discovery of oneself—is very difficult, since they are so ceaselessly, so necessarily connected with the change in our other circumstances. But the more conscious of these circumstances we can be, the more lively, powerful, and ample is the conviction which derives from them—the belief in true revelations of the spirit. It is not seeing—hearing—feeling—it is a combination of all three—more than all three—a sensation of immediate certainty—a view of my truest, most actual life—thoughts change into laws—wishes are fulfilled. For the weak person the fact of this moment is an article of faith. The phenomenon becomes especially striking at the sight of many human forms and faces—particularly so on catching sight of many eyes, expressions, movements—on hearing certain words, reading certain passages—at certain views of life, world, and fate. Very many chance incidents, many natural events, particular times of the day and year bring us such experiences. Certain moods are especially favorable to such revelations. Most last only an instant—few linger—fewest of all remain. In this respect there are great differences between people. One is more capable of experiencing revelations than another. One has more sense of them, the other more understanding. The latter kind will always remain in their soft light; even if the former has only intermittent flashes of illumination, they are brighter and more varied. 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